Wilhelm gries



(M me W. GMES.

V BUCKLE 0R CLASP. No. 383,290. Patented May 22, 1888.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VILHELM GRIES, OF GUMMERSBACH, PRUSSIA, GERMANY.

BUCKLE OR CLASP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 383,290, dated May 22, 1888.

Application filed February 1, i888. Serial No. 263,007.

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILHELM Gains, residing in Gummersbach, Ithenish Prussia, Germany, have invented new and useful Improvements in Buckles or Clasps, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to a buckle or clasp for clamping girths, cloth straps, bands, and the like.

The characteristic features of the improved buckle or clasp are its simplicity of construction and the security with which the strap to be held is clamped. The said buckle or clasp comprises substantially a square frame consisting in most cases of metal, which possesses a cross piece or bridge in the middle. Against this cross piece or bridge bears a flap which is pvoted upon a pin fitted to turn in the lateral parts ot' the frame. Vhen the strap is tightly stretched,the said flap bears against the cross piece or bridge and clamps the strap, imparting thereto a twofold rectangular or approximately rectangular bend. This clamping of thelstrap is effected by the strap itself, which in stretching bears against the half of the flap on the other side of the pin or pivot. Then the strap becomes loose,the flap turns upon the pin or pivot and the clamping of the strap c discontinues.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view of the buckle or clasp in its closed position with a strap inserted. Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the strap and buckle or clasp, Fig. l; Fig. 3, a transverse section through the strap and buckle or clasp in its open position.

A A' indicate, respectively, the front and rear pins connected by narrow side bars, A2 A2, and these constitute the frame of the buckle or clasp, which is preferably made of iron,steel, or other metal,but which may be made of wood, horn, ebonite, or any other suitable material. The two narrow side bars ofthe buckle or clasp are connected by a cross piece or bridge, B, which is preferably made integral with the frame. Between this cross piece or bridge B and the front pin, A', of the frame is inserted the flap C D, which is provided with a hole, laterally through which a pin, E, extends and is supported in theside bars of the frame, so

(No model.)

that the iiap can easily turn upon or with the pin. The pivot-pin E is placed nearer the clamping end C of vthe flap than the end D, whereby the latterbeing the heaviest: end will gravitate, or it can be pressed downward when the stretching ofthe strap X Y is discontinued. To prevent the flap from making a complete revolution in the buekle-frame the front end, D, of the llap is extended or prolonged, as at D', beyond the front piu, A', and such prolongation D' is transversely recessed, as at DE, to fit upon the front pin when the lap is in its clamping position, as shown in Fig. 2. It will be observed that the pin E pivots the flap between the bridge B and the front pin, A', and that the flap clamps thestrap against the bridge. This provides a space between the bridge and the rear pin, A, for the attachment of a strap or band, Z, as shown.

' rllhe strap X Y to be clamped is introduced between the cross piece or bridge B and the part C of the flap. It is then passed below the front part, D, of the flap. The intermediate space between B and C is about the same, or only a little less than the thickness of the strap shown in Fig. 3. The said strap X Y is drawn tight. The latter raises the part D of the Hap, whereby the other part is lowered and caused to approach the cross piece or bridge B. The strap is then clamped between C and B, and is then caused to assume a twofold bend, as shown in Fig. 2.

I am aware that a rectangular buckleframe composed of top, bottom, and side bars has been provided with a transverse center pin on which is hung a rectangular tongue, so that one edge ofthe tongue will bind a strap against the top bar of the buckle-frame; but I am not aware that a buckle-frame composed of front and rear pins and side bars has ever heretofore been provided with a cross piece or bridge joined to the side bars approximately central between the front and rear pins, and a rectilinear llap pivoted in the space between such cross piece or bridge and the front pin, A', of the buckle to bind a strap against such bridge, and thus leave a space between the rear pin, A, and the bridge B for the attachment of a strap to the rear-end pin.

Vhat I claim as my invention is-- A buckle consisting of the front and rear IOO pins, A A, connected by side bars, a trans- In witness whereof I have signed the foreverse bridge-piece, B, secured tothe side bars going specification this 20th day of December, between the front and rear pins, and the flap C 1887. D, pivoted byapn, E, in the space between the y VILHELM GRIES.

5 bridge-piece and the front pin to bind a strap Witnesses:

when stretched against the bridge-piece, sub- EMIL SONDERMANN,

stantially as and for the purpose described. GUsTAVn ALBERT OnLRIoHs. 

